Gallery: Gift Guide: For Beer Lovers and Homebrewers

Personalized Mash Paddle ($65)

Homebrewers use these paddles to mix grains or stir wort. Most beginning homebrew kits come with a cheap plastic version, but upgrading to a custom maple paddle gives your brewday a sense of authenticity and history. Mashpaddle.com will even do custom engraving on the handle.

The Oxford Companion to Beer ($39)

There is so much beer knowledge crammed into this book, beer lovers at all levels will learn something new. Whether you're wondering what the difference is between Columbus and Centennial hops, or you’re trying to determine if your beer is oxidized or infected, there’s an entry on almost any beer topic you can think of. It’s a perfect gift for homebrewers who want to get technical, as well as beer lovers interested in the brewing history.

Outdoor Burner ($80)

If you’re looking to move your favorite homebrewer out of the kitchen and into the backyard, give them an outdoor burner. This one works great for 5 or 10 gallon batches of homebrew. Propane tanks aren’t included, but if you use a gas grill you probably already have one.

5 Gallon Oak Barrel ($190)

An oak barrel is the ultimate beer storage and aging container—giving one to a homebrewer is the quickest way to get on the “nice” list this holiday. A 5-gallon barrel may be the same price as a 10-gallon, but the shipping of these heavy gifts will increase by size and also depends on your location.

Glassware

I use my Lenox Pilsner glasses all the time. The crystal makes an elegant presentation, but they are heavy enough that they doesn’t feel delicate. $41.94 on Amazon

Every serious beer drinker needs a quality set of tulip shaped glassware, such as these Spiegelau tulips. The shape works for every style from IPAs to Imperial stouts, capturing aromas with a classic presentation.$24.99 on Amazon.

Bear Bottle Opener ($13.25)

People are often judged by the quality of their beer bottle openers. This bear shaped wall-mounted opener guarantees you’ll be the hippest beer drinker on the block. I have mine attached to the side of my kegerator, but it works equally well on the wall next to your refrigerator.

Refractometer ($39)

A refractometer is a step up in quality from the more commonly used homebrewing hydrometer. It’s also much less likely to break when bumped off the table on brewday. The best ones come with automatic temperature correction (ATC) for added accuracy.

American Homebrewers Association Membership ($38)

An annual gift membership to the AHA includes a one-year subscription to Zymurgy magazine, invitations to members-only events and discounts to pubs and bars across the country. A membership also gives discounts for entry into the National Homebrew Competition and the National Homebrewers Conference each year.

Beer of the Month Club

Expand your palate and diversify your beer experiences with a beer of the month club subscription. With options ranging from U.S. microbreweries, to international beers to a rare beer club, there is something for everybody. You can select memberships for 2 to 12 months long.